Winter Storm Plows Into State College Area

A powerful winter storm that swept into town late Tuesday night is creating dangerous travel conditions -- causing school cancellations and snow emergencies.

AccuWeather says four to eight inches of snow is forecast with some sleet also possible.

A Winter Storm Warning posted by the National Weather Service Tuesday evening will remain in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The State College Area School District says all schools are closed on Wednesday. District offices will open at noon.

Penn State says classes will be delayed. Classes that begin after 10 a.m. will be held as scheduled. Only employees who perform essential services should report to work as scheduled unless told otherwise by a supervisor.

Garbage collection will continue as scheduled in State College Borough. However, refuse crews may be delayed by the weather. You should put your trash and recycling out at the regular time. If it's not collected, leave it out and it will be picked up by the end of the week.

The State College Borough Manager has declared a snow emergency. That means all vehicles must be removed from streets until the snowfall has stopped and the streets have been plowed. Cars parked on borough streets may be towed.

Downtown parking garages and parking lots are open. If you head downtown you're asked to use the Fraser Street garage, Pugh Street garage, McAllister Deck or public parking lots.

Cars parked in posted snow removal zones or cars parked in violation of any ordinance of the Borough may be towed at the owner's expense.

Residents must shovel sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow has stopped.

College, Harris and Patton Townships have also declared snow emergencies. Residents are required to remove vehicles from all public streets until the snow has stopped and the roads have been plowed. Cars that are not moved may be ticketed.

Ferguson Township rules require that cars be moved off the streets any time there is two inches or more of snow.

PennDot says speed limits have been reduced to 45 mph on highways across the state, including Route 322 in Centre County, I-99 and I-80. Click HERE to check conditions on major roads in Pennsylvania.

This is the second winter storm since Monday and there is also the potential for another major snowstorm next weekend.

Steve Bauer was the Managing Editor of StateCollege.com. Steve and his wife Trina are longtime area residents. They reside in State College along with a wacky Golden Retriever named Izzy.
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